Channel



Feb. 21, 1933. w. s. GAlNES, JR

CHANNEL Filed Sept. 2, 1950 R O T N E V m ML 75/? 5. 6/: War/P? ATTO RN EYS Patented Feb. 2i, 19,33

WALTER S. GAINES, JR, OF EAST CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIrNOR TO THE REID PRODUCTS COANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO NEL Application filed September 2, 1930. Serial No. 479,282.

The invention disclosed in this application relates to flexible channel for receiving and guiding window panes generally, and particularly those of motor vehicles.

At the present time, there is a tendency among automobile manufacturers toward the employment of shapes for automobile window openings other than the usual rectangular form. For example, in many instances, the upper ends of the window openings are curved or formed away from the former square cornered lines. In supplying the frames of these window openings with cushioning channel, it is necessary to provide a channel which not only has sufficient resiliency and stability to properly receive and hold the glass window pane but which also, can be bent or formed about the frame opening in such a manner that it will conform nicely to the particular configuration or shape thereof. Inasmuch as the type'of channel contemplated by this invention is one which includes an inner flexible metal core and suitable glass-engaging cushioning material, it is, of course,'necessary to provide some means whereby the channel may be bent without permanent distortion of its transverse or cross sectional channel shape.

With the foregoing in mind, the present invention relates to a window channel comprising an inner metal core of thin spring metal provided with suitable cushioning material and shaped into Igeneral channel form to snugly receive and t the window glass. In order to permit bending and flexing of the channel without permanently distorting its cross sectional channel shape, the metal core is provided at its side edges with suitable re-enforcin beads and with perforations adjacent each ead, said perforations being connected in pairs by slots or kerfs, each extending from one rforation of a pair to the other one thereof thereby separating the main body of the core into transverse straps, which not only hold the beaded core edges in proper shape, but also serve to maintain the eneral cross sectional configuration of I: the c annel as a whole.

The invention is set forth in the following description, drawing and claims.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of finished channel embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the metal core of the channel of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a slightly modified form of channel core.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the channel core is formed of a band or strip of metal, preferably thin steel or the like, and including longitudinal side edge portions 1 each having an inwardly bent flange 2, whereby suitable beads are formed at both said side edges. These longitudinal side edge portions 1 are connected by a multiplicity of transverse strap portions 3 formed by providing the strip with a series of pairs of perforations 4 near the beaded side edges 1 and connected by cross slots 5 cutthrough the metal and each slot or cut extending from one perforation of a pair to the other one thereof. As will be readily understood, the

perforations 4 at the ends of the cross slots 5 prevent tearing of the core metal through the longitudinally disposed side edges 1, aided more or less by the bead forming flanges 2. v

The transverse or cross sectional shape of each of the two forms of channel core here illustrated is somewhat of U-form having a base and two side walls, which walls, if desired and as shown, may be bent inwardly toward each other to more firmly grip and hold the glass.

As shown in Fig. 1, this core of- Fig. 2 is provided with suitable cushioning, material, such as an inner layer 6 of rubber or' other suitable material and an outer cover 7 of felt, fabric or the like, and said cushioning material, if desired and as shown, may entirely cover or enclose said core, although said entire coverage or enclosure is not, of course, essential.

In use, the channel ma window frame of any dbsired shape, the transverse .cuts or slits and the cross straps 3 enabling the channel to be bent into any desired shape without materially affectingthe cross sectional form thereof.

In the channel core modification shownin be applied to a Fig. 3, the transverse core slots are wider at their middle than at their ends, thereby enablin a channel in which this form of core is em odied to be more freely bent in either direction.

The beaded outer side edge portions 1 of the channel side walls, when provided with suitable cushioning material, such as rubber and felt, form longitudinally disposed lips for receivin and snugly engaging the glass when theciannel is placed in a window frame groove. By transversely slitting or slotting the inner metallic core strip, as disclosed in Figs. 2 and 3 of this case, the chan- .nel may be flexed very readily in almost any direction and such slitting and slotting is particularly useful in conforming the channel to the variously shaped window frame openings now in use or contemplated by automobile manufacturers in that the channel may be readily curved or bent nicely in a plane corresponding to that occupied by the window pane.

Other features of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A window channel comprising an inner flexible sheet metal core of channel form having slits extending transversely from points ad acent one edge to points adjacent the op osite edge, whereby the channel may be nt in various forms and whereby. it may be twisted in the application to the window frame.

2. A window channel as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said core is provided with a perforation at each end ofeach of said transverse slits, said perforation being thus located adjacent the edges of said core.

3. A window channel as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said transverse slits are'of sufficient width to permit flexing of said core in both' directions relative to a plane passing between the sides of said core.

4. A window channel as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the edges of said core are provided with re-enforcing beads.

5. A window channel as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that each of said transverse slits is wider at its middle than at its ends.

In testimony whereof I hereby aflix my sig nature.

WALTER S. GAINES, JR. 

